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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

What every Celtic fan is saying after Rangers display as derby concern sparks call for big transfers

Despite being on the brink of the Scottish Premiership title, some Celtic fans have been left concerned by the display against Rangers.

Ange Postecoglou 's men remain six points clear of the defending champions with three games to play and, barring a remarkable collapse, should be crowned league champions.

Jota had given Celtic the lead at Celtic Park in the final derby clash of the season - which was the only shot on target for the home side.

Fashion Sakala levelled the game in a much-improved second half display for Rangers, with the hosts holding on for the crucial draw despite a dominant second half from Gio van Bronckhorst 's men.

Now fans are calling for Postecoglou to be handed a transfer war chest to continue to improve the side for next season.

One fan tweeted: "Winning the title first time whilst rebuilding after last seasons shambles and after the start we had this term is a minor miracle.

"We need to up the ante in terms of quality signings in the summer, but we have the right guy at the helm to push us on."

Celtic fans during their draw with Rangers (SNS Group)

Another added: "Even given performances of CCV, Starfelt, and Hart over the season, Celtic need to upgrade across the back five if they want to compete in the UCL groups next year. Not good enough to play through a co-ordinated press."

One felt the club have fallen short of recent standards saying: "Gonna fall over the line to this league. A good Celtic team finishes league today and is getting ready for a cup final to complete a treble."

Carl Starfelt was in for some praise but the theme of stumbling over the finish line as another fan tweeted: "Hatate is running on empty. Starfelt easily the best Celtic player today, But we are scraping over the line. Big performance needed for next week."

Looking on the bright side, it wasn't so long ago that winning the league at all seemed like a distant ambition for the Hoops and some fans were quick to put things into perspective.

One added: "This time last year we were gubbed 4-1 at Ibrox and 20+ points behind. Three players that started for Celtic today have won SPL before, all now about getting over line. Tremendous turnaround this season, players and manager need massive slack cut.

And that sentiment was echoed as one added: "Looking at the big picture, that’s a fine result. Beat Hearts next week and it’s all but over."

The progress Celtic have made under Postecoglou has been scarcely believable to some and one fan pointed to the pre-season thumping against West Ham as a marker to measure it against.

They tweeted: "From the point of that pre-season horror show against West Ham to where we are now is absolutely incredible...this team is growing and growing...at this rate we will be giants in the next year or two...delighted with today."

Back down to earth though as one measured fan felt it was "job done" - although raised concerns with a couple of stars who fell short of their usual standards.

"It was a must not lose game so job done. Hatate so off the pace today and Rogic looked like he was on him summer holidays. Roll on next week."

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